Social Welfare Programs
Name one social welfare program (local, state, or federal) designed to address poverty
According to the United States Census Bureau, the official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. Neither the rate nor the number in poverty was significantly different from 2020.
National Poverty in America
About 37.9 million Americans are living in poverty, and the problem could be far worse. As a result, various programs (local, state, or federal) have been designed to address poverty. These include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP is a federal program that provides low-income individuals and families with assistance to purchase food. For the fiscal year 2023 (Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30, 2023), a two-member household with a net monthly income of $1,526 (100% of poverty) qualified for this program.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a federal tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. It provides a refundable tax credit that can help boost income and reduce poverty.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): TANF provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. It is designed to help families become self-sufficient by providing job training, education, and other supportive services.
- Medicaid: Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: This program provides rental assistance to low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. It helps these individuals and families afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
- Head Start: Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.
Other social welfare programs designed to address poverty in the USA include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and General Assistance (GA).